Question: What is the significance of the number 18? What is its importance and what is the meaning of the word Chai? What lessons can it teach us today?
Answer: In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value. The number 10 is the letter Yud. The number 8 is the letter Ches (Chet). Ches-Yud spells the word Chai, which means “Living” or “Life”.
The Hebrew Alphabet are the building blocks of the universe. Thus in some way, anything that equals 18 has a connection to Chai/Life. Both Aleph (1) and the number 8 mean infinity. The unipresence, uniscience and unipotence of the almighty Eternal G-d of Israel.
There are both positive and negative words that equal 18:
Chai – Life +18
Ohavi – My beloved = 18
Aivah – A type of hatred = 18
Cheit – Sin = 18
This teaches us that we must have “Kavanah” (good intention/meaning) when we pray, or give charity, offerings. So we can donate for Chai (life). Then we can transform hatred into love, and that through Teshuvah (Repentance) we can transform sin (which is deadly) into life.
WJC has established an worldwide campaign to help to rebuild Israel after the attacks of the Hamas. Your donation is very omportant. Please donate with “Kavannah” so your donation of $18 is for “Chai’ (life).
In this prophetic moment, we are chosen to be the catalysts of transformation, the guardians of righteousness, and the champions of justice. With faith as our shield and purpose as our sword, we embark on this sacred journey. Stand up, be strong, for we are the instruments of G-d’s divine plan.
Your “donation” of Tzedaka (Act of Justice), in addition to being very important, brings hope and light to someone’s life and will certainly bring many Brachot (Blessings) to your life, as it is written: I will bless the one who blesses you. Genesis 12:3
Your Name will be on our World Jewish Arquives on our website database. As a honorable citizen of Israel.
The wise man seizes the opportunity to do mitzvot. The lazy person says — someday I’ll do it. (King Solomon).
G-d bless you!,
Rabbi Ovadia Tank,
WJC Chief Rabbi